Husqvarna TE 449, TE 511, TC 449 – A New Breed of Husky
Pictorial – TE449
Pictorial – TC449
Pictorial – TE511
Specifications – Husqvarna TC449 / TE 449 / TE 511
Husqvarna TE 449, TE 511, TC 449; A New Breed of Husky sporting BMW DNA
The new for 2011 TE 449/511 bikes are equipped with a cutting-edge 4 valve dual camshaft engine based on the Kymco built unit that powered BMW’s G450X. With BMW now owning Husqvarna they have provided the new engine to their sibling brand for Husqvarna engineers to tweak further in the search for increased performance and tractability.
Fuel delivery is managed by an electronic injection system with a Keihin 46 mm diameter, double flap throttle body which provides progressive and predictable throttle response.
The TE511 has a 3mm larger bore to actually displace 477.5cc. Husqvarna are obviously trying to continue the 510 model nomenclature with the new model while differentiating it slightly to 511.
The gear ratios for both the Enduro and MX versions have been completely changed: the Enduro now uses a 6 speed transmission and the ratios have been modified on the basis of the experience gained during Salminen and Tarkkala’s World Enduro Championship races where a Husky/BMW hybrid has been used to great effect. The ignition timing has been optimised with maps specific to the two different capacities and exhaust systems.
The clutch is controlled hydraulically, offering a smoother and more progressive action with greater consistency also under stress.
The motorcycle has a high energy electronic ignition and, thanks to the powerful battery and fuel injection system, a supplementary kick start is not necessary.
Two exhaust silencers come with the TE models; the Euro 3 compliant silencer fitted as standard and a steel Akrapovic Racing exhaust, developed in collaboration with the Slovenian company to maximise the potential of the engine, whilst minimising the weight.
The chassis layout allows the modern DOHC engine to be mounted closer to the centre of the bike, whilst tilting the cylinder further forward allows a long and straight air intake path at the same time as keeping the centre of gravity as low as possible. This has also meant that the throttle body and fuel injector nozzle can be mounted in the ideal position.
Again, continuing the theme of mass centralisation, the two part fuel tank design provides a total of 8.5 litres capacity in a low mounted 2 litre pump housing and a 6,5 litre under seat main tank. The under seat fuel tank layout permits the airbox to be located in a protected and favourable position above the engine with the actual air intake being at the height of the steering column, in a raised and sheltered position to minimise the intake of dust or water.
The air filter box has an elongated intake manifold and a newly designed air intake to provide greater breathability for the sponge filter, which is easily removed thanks to a hinge system in the airbox.
The battery is located adjacent to the under seat main fuel tank to again centralise the mass.
Naturally, Husqvarna’s long experience in Enduro racing has played an important part in the development of these new motorcycles. The perimeter design chassis is made of high strength steel tubing.
The geometry of the rear suspension is different to many bikes due to the lack of a shock linkage, similar in some ways to KTM’s PDS design. Husqvarna claims this solution offers many advantages: increased ground clearance, improves general reliability thanks to the reduced exposure of the components and makes maintenance easier. They make no mention of the drawbacks that have seen KTM now change their motocross machines from the PDS design to a more conventional linkage type rear.
The new Husqvarna machines feature an improved version of the output shaft through swingarm pivot design pioneered on the BMW G 450X. The solution, which originally used a single swing arm pivot spindle, now has two independent semi spindles which reduce the stress on the swing arm and facilitates the replacement of the gearbox sprocket.
The advantages of the CTS system compared to the traditional systems are impressive. During the suspension movement along the whole stroke, the chain is not subject to any change in length. The tension of the chain remains constant regardless of the swing arm position, while the chain and sprockets benefit from reduced wear. An important positive effect on the riding characteristics is the marked reduction of the impact of alternating the load on the transmission.
This aspect has been studied by a spin-off company of the University of Padova called Dynamotion which has proved that the CTS improves traction in the various stages of acceleration consequently through the vertical movements of the suspension on rough terrain. The result is better traction during acceleration and surer, more confident gear changes.
Brembo provide the floating caliper and 260 mm wave rotor up front while the rear brake consists of a floating caliper operating on a 240 mm rotor.
The suspension is entrusted in full to the specialists of Kayaba, with 48 mm forks, adjustable for compression and rebound damping and a Kayaba rear shock absorber designed specifically for Enduro use with settings optimised in collaboration with the racing team.
The tapered diameter handlebars, original equipment hand protectors, compact and efficient instrumentation, shockproof plastic engine / chassis guards, rear mudguard with incorporated racing number plate holder and led rear light complete the fittings. A single piece side panel runs from where traditionally the fuel tank would be, all the way back to the rear mudguard, allowing the rider free and unhindered movement. There is no chance of snagging boots or pants on the edges of the panels with this design.
Besides the aesthetic and ergonomic aspects, the new design also makes maintenance easier as the air filter, rear shock and throttle body can all be accessed with ease. The long seat, which runs from the rear mudguard to the steering head, offers completely free longitudinal movement. The graphics on the side panels are applied using the ‘In Mould Design’ technology for increased resistance to wear and the 2 litre fuel pump housing is transparent so that the remaining fuel level can be easily monitored.
A range of Husqvarna Special Parts will be available, developed by Husqvarna to provide the best combination of lightness, durability and performance to allow Husqvarna fans to personalise their bikes and offer them the ingredients for racing success.
TC 449
The motocross version stands out not only for the normal MX chassis changes (no lights, 19″ rear wheel etc) but above all for the engine which has been specifically tuned for MX use, delivering significantly more power than the Enduro version.
The timing and camshaft profiles are completely different as is the compression ratio which has increased to 13:1 instead of 12:1 in the Enduro version. The electronic injection system still uses a 46mm Keihin throttle body but is fitted with a single flap instead of the Enduro twin flap version to provide a sharper, more aggressive throttle response. Additionally, the TC449 is fitted with a dual mode switch on the handlebars, which allows access to two different fuel injection / ignition timing maps to provide a softer power delivery for low traction conditions.
The titanium exhaust system with carbon fibre tipped silencer has been developed specifically by Akrapovic and the five speed transmission has specific ratios for use in MX. The suspension is provided by Kayaba with multi adjustable sealed cartridge front forks matched to a Kayaba fully adjustable rear shock.
Pictorial – TE449
Pictorial – TC449
Pictorial – TE511
Specifications – Husqvarna TC449 / TE 449 / TE 511
Pictorial – TE449Â Â Â /Â Â Â Pictorial – TC449Â Â Â /Â Â Â Pictorial – TE511
Specifications – Husqvarna TC449 / TE 449 / TE 511